MMORPG : Ancient WORLD

In a large cabin ornately built with dark wood paneling and rich leather seats, evoking a sense of luxury, two men could be seen seated on opposite sides.

One wore a dark mask and a black suit, while the other wore a black and white suit resembling a pilot's uniform.

The cabin was getting plunged into stark contrasts of light and shadow as flashes of lightning from the storm raging outside the plane illuminated the interior before fading back into darkness.

"I am telling you that it is not a wise decision for you to make contact with those people," Zero said as he shifted his attention toward Alex, and as he did, all windows turned pitch dark, making the sight of a raging storm, including its noise vanish like it was never present.

"Even though your identity is well hidden since you have done a great job hiding it and because of your unique physique, no one can measure your strength through any available means at the moment,"

"Now, with my protection, it would stay hidden for as long as you want or until one of your brothers makes a blunder, but still, the people at the top know too much about you,"

"I know that you are an intelligent individual, but the person you are going to meet is also a crafty individual himself, maybe much more so than you since he does not shy away from using dirty tricks to get what he wants,"

"So while he might give you what you want, which will not be pleasing information if I point it out again, the intell would either not be free, or even if it is, you will pay the price, and that is a guarantee," Zero said, his words carrying heavy and serious tone.

"At first, I just wanted to know what happened to Sir Slavik and whether I need to help him or leave him on his own,"

"However, after knowing that he works for a hidden superpower, and he is doing all of it on their orders, you expect me to believe that the kidnapping was a mere coincidence?" Alex said, fully understanding what Zero was trying to say.

"If you are not going to tell me what is going on, then I need to figure it out on my own because if someone is on to me, then I need to know before it's too late," Alex said, and Zero just looked at him blankly.

Alex had agreed to make the formula of Mystium Ore public, and besides getting protection for his family, he wanted to make Zero lead him to Sir Slavik.

It was after his refusal to leave the man alone that Zero finally broke the silence and told him about Sir Slavik's affiliation and how meeting him was not going to be possible, not without going through his master.

The said master, who is one of the most powerful individuals on earth and the unwanted individual he wishes for him to stay away from since the beginning, and the reason why Zero even offered a solution.

Alex had believed that Sir Slavik faked his death for one reason or another and was still working for the Russian government, and the end of Ivanovich's family and the clearance of his name was his reward in some sort of way.

However, the new intelligence debunked that theory and made their situation a lot worse than Alex believed.

After knowing that a person like him was working for a hidden power that was even above governments, Alex knew their situation could not be a coincidence.

It would be a delusion to believe that someone with such power did not know the whereabouts of Venedikt and Andrei, and the mere thought of how someone could be keeping watch over them for who knew for how long sent shivers down his spine.

Zero also did not confirm nor deny that the said person was not keeping watch over them and that he was not responsible for the kidnapping, and that was the last nail in the coffin for Alex to take his advice and even consider staying ignorant of his situation.

Now, the situation had grown past just Sir Slavik, and as much as Alex wished that he would not get involved with top powers at this point, he could not ignore them.

While Zero wanted him to stay away from the big powers, he was still willing to help him meet them because if Alex went on his own, it would only put him in a worse position.

Since Zero could not break his rule and give him the intel directly nor the location of Sir Slavik, he was giving him a lift to an unknown place where he could find the person who was the master of Slavik Makarov.

"It's better to live a life of ignorance than one of fear,"

"But, I can only give you advice," Zero said before he stood up and left toward the Cockpit.

Alex spent the following hours in deep meditation, his mind focused and undisturbed by the turbulence of the flight. The cabin, once filled with the ominous flashes of the storm, was now a sanctuary of calm, the storm outside a distant memory.

Eventually, the plane began its descent, and they finally arrived at their destination in Munich, the bustling heart of Germany.

After a brief exchange with Zero, who offered his good wishes and a few words of caution, Alex left the private airport.

Alex took a cab to the most luxurious restaurant in Munich. Once at the restaurant, he contacted Raven and told him to use the galactic system, where he had made him take the mantle of Shiekh to write a message for him.

"Just arrived in Munich to meet the most important power of Germany to discuss business."

This message, veiled in ambiguity, was intended for the hidden power, and while it was entirely possible that the other party would pay him no heed, he could only try his luck.

If that didn't work, Alex planned to use the government to arrange a meeting with the party in question, though he was confident it wouldn't come to that.

Alex waited in the restaurant, knowing that it would not be long before representatives of various powers began to approach him since his peculiar dark mask made of nanobots made him stand out like a sore thumb, and with their resources, it would not be long before they pinpointed his location.

It took only minutes before Alex was approached by a female. She was striking, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes that contrasted with her sleek, dark hair.

She wore a fitted, black dress that exuded both elegance and authority, complemented by a single, ornate pendant that hinted at her guild affiliation.

"Mr. Shiekh, Good evening," She began, her voice smooth and professional.

"I am Elsa, a representative of the Asgardian Guild. Our vice guild master could be here within ten minutes, but if you prefer a more private setting, it could be arranged."

"I am here to do business with the most influential power in Germany, and the Asgardian Guild is not that power," Alex responded and didn't bother to open his eyes, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

If even Andrei was present, he would not have recognized him by voice since it was changed using nanobots, and the same was true for his face behind the mask, his muscle structure, his posture, and everything that could be analyzed to match him with his original self.

The female stood stunned, not knowing how she should react, as while she wished to say that her guild was the best in the world, let alone in Germany, realizing that he was not here to do business with them and angering him would achieve nothing she decided it was best to leave on a good note.

"Sir Sheikh, it was a pleasure meeting with you. While you are in Germany, if you need anything, please allow the Asgardian Guild to assist you." She said as she placed her card on the table before taking her leave.

After Elsa left, no one came for the next hour, and while Alex did not confirm it, it was obvious to him that someone powerful was at work.

The restaurant was emptied, and so were all the surrounding streets, as there were no longer any cars present, any person, or even the hotel staff.

'He sure knows how to make an entrance,' Alex thought, knowing that the busting surrounding turning into a ghost land was the work of the man he had come to meet.

After mere moments had passed, Alex heard footsteps, and looking to his side, he saw a man descending the stairs, a figure he knew all too well and to say he was surprised would be an understatement.

The man was handsome, in his early thirties, standing at 6'3". His face radiated confidence and charm, with chiseled features framed by radiant brown hair tinged with hints of red and orange, and a light beard added a rugged allure to his demeanor.

'Magnus,' Alex thought, recognizing the man at a glance.

"I don't think there's a need for introductions, so let's get straight down to business," Magnus said, settling into his seat with an unsettling calm.

"So, what business do you wish to discuss with the most influential individual in Germany?" Magnus asked, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of menace.